Two IT hubs with a combined floor area of approximately 80,000 square meters are set to be launched in Almaty. The first is expected to open later this year, while the second — roughly the size of 10 football fields — will be built from scratch, according to Almaty Deputy Mayor Olzhas Smagulov.
Speaking at a media briefing on the GETIX exhibition, the official noted that city authorities have decided to address the gap in IT infrastructure, which is currently being filled mainly by private initiatives.
«In Astana, they have Astana Hub with more than 45,000 square meters of space. The situation in Almaty is different,» he said.
The first project, Almaty Hub, is scheduled to open by November 2026. It will involve renovating a 10,000-square-meter building that has been fully allocated to IT and technology companies.
The second project, Almaty AI Park, is larger and more long-term. It will be built from scratch on a 7-hectare site, with a planned floor area of approximately 70,000 square meters.
The mayor’s office intends to create sufficient office space along with the necessary infrastructure for IT professionals.
Commenting further on the issue to Kursiv.media, Smagulov said that authorities aim to consider all aspects of the working environment: where IT specialists will work, relax and even have their meals.
«This should be a unified ecosystem — a single building or a complex of buildings — where people can come at any time,» he said, highlighting the open-space culture common in many countries.
According to Smagulov, the need for such projects stems from the rapid growth of the city’s IT sector.
«Every third IT startup in Kazakhstan is launched in Almaty. The potential here is truly tremendous. However, cooperation among IT specialists still requires better coordination. As the city administration, we are ready to take on that coordinating role,» he emphasized.
